Portuguese migration destinations
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Australia and Macau saw relatively few Portuguese immigrants, with less than 1,000 entries each, but other notable destinations included France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Mozambique, Canada, and the United States.
According to a report by the Emigration Observatory, Migra Network, Center for Research and Studies in Sociology, and ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon, Portuguese emigration is higher than pre-Covid levels in most of its main destinations. The report estimates that 70,000 Portuguese will leave in 2023, the same number as in 2022.
Spain followed Switzerland as the second most popular destination, with 11,554 arrivals, while Switzerland became the primary destination with over 12,000 arrivals in 2023. The United States saw the largest increase in the number of Portuguese immigrants acquiring citizenship, with 1,1896 cases.
The increase in Portuguese emigration in 2023 compared to pre-Covid levels was driven largely by a sustained annual departure of about 70,000 people. This steady outflow reflects ongoing economic and social factors, particularly among young and qualified workers seeking better opportunities abroad.
Key factors contributing to the increase include a shift in destination countries, demographic drivers, economic and social context, and relative emigration scale. The redistribution of destinations saw the United Kingdom and France seeing notable declines, while Switzerland became the primary destination. A significant portion of those emigrating are young graduates and qualified workers, with nearly a third of Portuguese aged 15-39 now living outside the country.
The report also highlighted that France and the United Kingdom had higher rates of female Portuguese immigrants, with 50.4% and 50.5% respectively.
In conclusion, the increase in Portuguese emigration in 2023 is driven by sustained post-Covid recovery of migration flows, a strategic shift toward Switzerland and other economically attractive European countries, and a predominantly young and educated demographic seeking better opportunities abroad amid domestic economic challenges.
In the context of the report, the increase in Portuguese emigration in 2023 encourages a change in lifestyle for many, promoting more travel opportunities, especially to economically attractive European destinations like Switzerland. This demographic shift also includes the United States, as it saw a significant increase in Portuguese immigrants acquiring citizenship.
